NOON BRIEFING HIGHLIGHTS
Spokesperson for General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Thursday, 17 November 2022
SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM
Starting with the General Assembly.
Members are today debating the question of equitable representation and other matters related to the Security Council.
In his opening remarks, President Csaba Kőrösi said that the intergovernmental negotiations process has been on the General Assembly’s agenda for 13 years.
The difference this year is that all the crises we face are putting pressure on the multilateral system – such as the war in Ukraine.
The ability – or inability – of the Council to take action is quote “about the credibility and the relevance of the United Nations.”
The President has appointment new co-chairs to lead the IGN – those are Permanent Representatives of Slovakia, Ambassador Michal Mlynar, and of Kuwait, Ambassador Tareq AlBanai.
As they move forward, the President asked Member States to reflect and act on possible changes to the process including on transparency and working methods.
You have the full remarks in your inbox and online.
PGA STAKEOUT
The President will speak to you directly on Security Council Reform at just after 1pm, when the morning session of the General Assembly wraps up.
He will be joined by the IGN co-chairs: Ambassador Mlynar and Ambassador AlBanai.
GRAIN DEAL INITIATIVE
Turning to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
I wanted to read into record the statement that you received this morning.
The President of the General Assembly welcomes the agreement of all parties to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
He commends the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Türkiye for engaging in dialogue to address the global food security crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.
On behalf of the General Assembly, the President expresses his gratitude to the Secretary-General for his leadership and unrelenting commitment to restoring supply to the food markets.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative is a strong example of crisis management in action.
It illustrates what is possible when diplomacy, dialogue and multilateralism are prioritized.
The Initiative has facilitated the export of over 10 million tons of grain and food stuffs.
The continued implementation of the Initiative will help to ease the suffering of the millions of people across the globe affected by this war.
The President of the General Assembly further expresses his gratitude and appreciation to the UN Joint Coordination Centre and its staff for exemplary work.
The President reiterates the General Assembly’s support for the JCC, for which Member States allocated additional funding on 27 October 2022 to mitigate global food insecurity and its humanitarian impact.
COP27
The President is back at UN Headquarters today, he arrived yesterday afternoon from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where he was participating in COP27.
As he was leaving, the President said there is a lot to be done but he has good reason to be optimistic. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
The President was at COP27 to highlight to urgent need to integrate water with climate issues.
Particularly on solutions to keep the Glasgow promises.
Among these solutions is the creation of a water management information system.
This is one of the game changers that came out of the October 24 and 25 preparatory meetings for the UN 2023 Water Conference. This is a topic that the President raised in his meetings.
As you this, this COP, was the first in the history of COPs to include water as part of agenda.
The President took part in the Water Day while in Egypt.
US-CHINA RESTARTING CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS
The President’s visit coincided with the announcement that the United States and China were resuming climate negotiations.
The President personally conveyed that he was glad this cooperation would be carried on, during his meeting with the Chinese Climate Envoy and Chief Negotiator Xie Zhenhua.
The President also met with the US Climate Envoy, John Kerry. Among other bilaterlas.
QUESTIONS
The Spokesperson was asked when the resolution on Iran, just adopted in the Third Committee, would be put for action in the General Assembly. The Spokesperson said action in the GA is expected on the 14 or 15 December.
